Crew-13 enters quarantine before launch to the International Space Station
From left to right: Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov, NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins, NASA astronaut Luke Delaney, and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Joshua Kutryk. (Credit: CSA, SpaceX)
Today, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Colonel Joshua Kutryk, NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Luke Delaney, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov started quarantine ahead of their roughly six-month mission to the International Space Station. NASA and SpaceX are now targeting as soon as for the launch of the Crew-13 mission to allow for completion of prelaunch activities, readiness reviews, and coordination of space station operations. The team successfully replaced an oxidizer valve in Dragon’s propulsion system after a leak was detected earlier in processing.
Quarantine is a standard part of every mission, ensuring that astronauts are in good health and not exposed to viruses or infections before they launch to space. During this time, astronauts continue their training, undergo medical check-ups, and rest before their mission begins.
Learn more about quarantine from CSA Flight Surgeon Dr. Raffi Kuyumjian in the video below.
Why astronauts quarantine before launch. (Credits: Canadian Space Agency, NASA)
This is the first space mission for CSA astronaut Joshua Kutryk and the first time a Canadian will fly to the Station as part of NASA's Commercial Crew program. Joshua will participate in science experiments, technology demonstrations and perform critical operations and maintenance while aboard the orbiting laboratory.